Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Mr. Christopher N. Cox

Chris Cox for Congress

180 East Main Street
Smithtown, NY 11787

July 6, 2010

Dear Christopher:
Traditionally, the Republican and Conservative Parties have worked together
here in Suffolk County to elect officeholders who stand for a series of principles
and common ideals that we both endorse. This year should be no different
because once again we have been offered the opportunity to come together and
finally defeat an entrenched liberal incumbent, Congressman Tim Bishop.
Political professionals and pundits in New York and Washington agree that Tim
Bishop is vulnerable and can be defeated if the right candidate mounts a strong,
well financed race. As I’m sure you would agree, we must make certain that our
candidate against Tim Bishop is afforded every possible advantage; however
what is absolutely required for success, is that our nominee shares Conservative
and Republican Party support.
A few weeks ago the Suffolk County Conservative Party chose St. James resident
Randy Altschuler as our nominee. We chose Randy because we truly felt, that
across the board, he is the candidate best equipped to defeat Congressman Tim
Bishop.
Randy has assembled an impressive array of endorsements from local elected
officials to national figures like Newt Gingrich and Congressman Eric Cantor to
organizations like the American Conservative Union PAC. Endorsements that
influence a wide range of individuals from grassroots Republicans in the district
to potential contributors in Washington and beyond.
In these tough economic times, families and taxpayers on Long Island want a
fellow resident and taxpayer to represent them in Congress. Randy is the only
candidate in the race, Republican, Democrat or Conservative, who has a proven
record of job creation. Not one or two jobs, but well over 700 jobs across the
United States and 250 of them in New York State alone.
Since officially kicking off his campaign nearly a year ago, Randy Altschuler has
crisscrossed the district meeting with the rank and file members of our parties.
He is a tireless campaigner and that, combined with targeted direct mail and a
six month long TV ad campaign, has made him a formidable candidate.
The Republican Party has chosen to remain neutral in the primary. While I
respect the decision of the Republican Executive Committee, it’s clear that we
are potentially faced with the chance of a divisive primary or “split ticket” on
November’s ballot, thus ensuring Tim Bishop’s reelection to two more years in
Congress. We simply cannot allow this to occur.

You have run a spirited campaign. The hard work and energy you and your
team have exuded since you arrived in Suffolk County in January has elevated
the level of debate and contributed positively to the political discourse.
Sadly however, it’s clear that you do not have a viable path to victory against
Tim Bishop in November. Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, a former candidate
for this seat, has been quoted as saying that not receiving the Conservative
Party’s support was a “major factor” in his decision to step out of the
congressional race. In fact, in the same article, it was noted that “Republicans'
chances of electoral success in New York are typically viewed to suffer
tremendously without a concurrent Conservative line.”
When faced with the prospect of a Republican primary being waged by Stephen
Lebate in the 2nd Congressional District earlier this year, Republican Party
Chairman John Jay LaValle’s response to a press query was that Mr. Lebate would
have to “choose between whether he would do what is in the best interest of the
man or the mission.” It’s now time for you to heed Chairman LaValle’s advice in
the 1st Congressional District. Christopher, you should withdraw your candidacy
and support Randy Altschuler. Our shared responsibility for taking back this seat
must be about the mission and not the individual; it’s the right thing to do for
Suffolk County and for America.
The Conservative Party line set records earlier this year in special elections
inside the 1st Congressional District for both Assemblyman Dean Murray and
Brookhaven Councilman Dan Panico. The wind is squarely at our back and the
fortitude of our parties is strong. Now is the time to work together to ensure that
we put forth our best effort to defeat Tim Bishop. The stakes are greater than
ever, and the desires of the taxpayers and conservative voters of the entire 1 st
Congressional District rest on the hope that this opportunity will not be
squandered.
Sincerely,
Edward M. Walsh, Jr.
Chairman
Suffolk County Conservative Party

cc: Edward F. Cox

Michael R. Long
John Jay LaValle
Jessie Garcia
Bill Ellis
Denis Noncarrow
Ernest Wruck
Nancy Reyer
Trace Duryea
Amber Brach-Williams